BOW HUNTING RULES FAIR HILL NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AREA

2019 - 2020 Season (September 6, 2019 – January 31, 2020)

RESERVATIONS None required. There will be a sign-in sheet at each parking area. Hunters must sign in and out with their Central Region Permit number. Hunters can ONLY sign THEMSELVES in. Hunters must record any harvested deer (number and type) on the sign-in sheet prior to leaving the area. Deer must still be checked in according to state regulations. No signing in prior to two (2) hours before hunting time.

PARKING 1. See attached maps for designated parking areas. Bow Hunting parking areas are indicated with a red letter “P”. 2. All hunters must display a Central Region Hunting Permit on the dash of his/her vehicle, and it must be obtained prior to hunting.

Permits can be obtained as follows:

OPTION A: Apply online @ http://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/publiclands/wmacentral.aspx. Permits are processed within 1-2 business days and sent via email. Permits will not be issued until after August 13, 2019. OPTION B: Hunters may also visit the DNR Wildlife and Heritage Gwynnbrook Office @ 3740 Gwynnbrook Avenue, Owings Mills, MD 21117 during office hours (Mon.-Fri. 7:30a-11:30a) to obtain their permit. Hunters must present their hunting license at that time and the permit will be issued immediately. OPTION C: Hunters can mail a copy of hunting license, phone number, and vehicle tag number to the Gwynnbrook Office. Include a letter–sized envelope with return address and postage.

** Assistance may be offered at the Fair Hill NRMA office located at 300 Tawes Drive, Elkton, Maryland 21921, Monday-Friday 8a-4p. HUNTING 1. A $35 DNR MANAGED HUNT PERMIT (MHP) is required to hunt and must be in possession with your license while hunting. 2. Hunters may enter the area one hour before legal hunting time to set up. Legal hunting time begins one half hour before sunrise. Hunters

must be out of the area within one hour after legal hunting time. Legal hunting time ends one half hour after sunset. 3. Hunters are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the hunting area boundary lines, safety zones, and established trails throughout

the hunting areas. Hunting areas may be scouted outside of the hunting season as long as the Central Region Hunting Permit is displayed on the dashboard of the vehicle. Hunters may also park in the Day Use Parking Lots to scout, but are required to pay the Honor Box fee if the Hunting Permit has not yet been obtained.

4. Portable tree stands and steps are permitted, but cannot be screwed or nailed into trees. All stands must be removed at the end of each day.

The use of tree stands is recommended at all times, especially when hunting near established trails. 5. Hunters are no longer required to harvest an antlerless deer first at the Fair Hill NRMA. Please ensure that any deer you harvest complies

with all applicable rules and regulations as noted in the State of Maryland Hunting Regulations. Deer harvested at Fair Hill NRMA will count toward total bag limit for Region B as published in the 2019-2020 Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping.

6. Hunters must contact a Park Ranger (410-218-1698) or Natural Resources Police Officer (410-260-8888) before tracking a wounded deer

off state park property and onto private property, or to be in the park after hours for any reason.

7. All harvested deer must be tagged before being moved. Do not field dress deer near trails, parking lots or any areas used by other park visitors. Harvested deer must be checked in within 24 hours after the deer is field tagged. Deer can be checked in through your COMPASS account @ https://compass.dnr.maryland.gov/dnrcompassportal, over the phone (1-888-800-0121), or on the DNR smartphone app (Access DNR).

8. The following is prohibited at the Fair Hill NRMA: the cutting of trees, branches, shrubs, or other vegetation; target shooting and hunting in

safety zones; off road vehicle operation; rifles; placing or hunting over bait; hunting on Sundays.

9. Non-hunters may accompany a permitted hunter if they are unarmed and stay with the hunter at all times.

GENERAL

1. AREA “C” WILL REMAIN CLOSED TO BOW HUNTING UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE FOR THE CONTROL OF INVASIVE WAVYLEAF BASKETGRASS. For more information on Wavyleaf basketgrass, contact the park office.

2. AREA “D” WILL NOT OPEN TO BOW HUNTING UNTIL NOVEMBER 1, 2019. The entire area is posted and the boundaries are

encompassed by a chain link fence. Areas beyond the fence are off limits. There are three parking areas for Area D and they are indicated on the attached map by a red letter “P”.

3. All State and Federal hunting laws, as well as park regulations, will be strictly enforced. 4. Maryland State Parks are “TRASH FREE”. All trash must be packed out.

5. Bow Hunting Parking Permits are not valid for general day-use. 6. The future of this hunting program depends on YOU. Please exercise caution and conduct yourself in an ethical, sportsmanlike manner.

7. Violating the rules of this program will result in the loss of your hunting permit.